Thirty-four overdoses reported at Electric Adventure

SEASIDE HEIGHTS – Nearly three dozen people overdosed on drugs during the two-day Electric Adventure Beach Weekend and more than 40 people were arrested, police said Monday.

None of the overdoses were fatal, according to Al Della Fave, a spokesman for Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato. The prosecutor has been outspoken in the county about drug use, sales and addiction — especially heroin.

But Della Fave said nine people overdosed on Saturday and another 25 on Sunday.

In addition, there were 42 adults and juveniles arrested on the beach at Grant Avenue. Twenty adults were charged with drug-related offenses and the remaining 15 on disorderly persons charges, said Detective Steve Korman, a spokesman for the borough police department.

Three of the juvenile arrests were for drug related-charges and the remaining four were disorderly persons charges, he said.

This is the third year the event has been run, but the first time it has been held in Seaside Heights. The first two Electric Adventures were held at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.

The website warns visitors against using drugs at the festival, saying drug use is “strictly forbidden.” It warns that anyone caught with drugs could be arrested and “ejected from the event without refund and will be forbidden to attend any future Electric Adventures or any show that are put on by the producers.”

Tickets to the event cost $76.11 for a single day or $117.99 for a two-day pass, and the long list of no-nos included plenty of warnings against prohibited items, including illegal substances and alcohol.

Police Chief Thomas Boyd said he would not comment on the event until he had all the facts regarding the turnout for the event.

The bulk of the problems that happened were within the confines of the venue, police said.

Event planning in Seaside Heights always includes extra law enforcement in anticipated large crowds, officials said. Seaside Heights police were assisted over the weekend by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, the State Police and members of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team.

Meanwhile, in Monmouth County at the PNC Bank Center in Holmdel, some people were taken to the hospital Sunday night after reports of alcohol-related illness during rapper Wiz Khalifa’s show.

Before the main act came on, authorities said Middletown First Aid, Holmdel First Aid, Keyport First Aid and three or more MONOC paramedics and ambulances responded.

State Police confirmed that emergency services were called to PNC for alcohol-related issues.

“There have been quite a few negative rumors about last night’s Wiz Khalifa show but, as verified by the authorities, these negative rumors are erroneous. Although there were transports to area hospitals, nearly half of those transports were people who were not even allowed into the venue and authorities have confirmed that none of these transports were due to serious injuries. We thank the overwhelming majority of the nearly 13,000 fans who came out and made it a great, fun and safe night,” according to a prepared statement from LiveNation.